Waverley Castle Hotel

The hotel and staff were lovely. My room was spotless, warm and clean, with a bath and shower, and the housekeepers, reception staff and manager were all great. There was excellent food and drink, entertainment and lovely scenery. I went with Alfa coaches and had a fabulous holiday. Thanks to all the staff, and I might come again in the next couple of years. The location was too remote for me, though. There were no buses or taxis available, and I couldn't find shops or a cash machine nearby. I got lost twice trying to get to the shop. Dinner and breakfast at 7pm were later than I'd like, as I'm diabetic and need to take my medication with food.

I visited for work and enjoyed my stay. It was warm everywhere, a bit like being abroad, and the staff were fabulous. Most of the other guests were mature holidaymakers, which made for a cheerful atmosphere. There was entertainment every night, and Leona from Linlithgow was a great singer. Bingo ran nightly too, if that's your thing. Breakfast was great with lots of choice, and you could even go large if you had a big appetite at no extra charge. The cost was very reasonable, and it's well worth a visit.

The grounds are lovely, and the town centre is only about a 10-minute walk away. The owners are clearly working hard to improve this characterful hotel. The food is brilliant, with the menu changing regularly, and the staff are attentive, courteous, and good at what they do. The shared spaces are beautifully decorated, and it was well priced too. It was my first stay, but I’ll definitely be back.

The bar being open until 11pm was a plus, though dinner service ended at 6pm and breakfast didn’t begin until 7:30am. Our room had a few flies, and the constant heating made parts of the stay uncomfortable. It also felt as if coach parties got priority over independent guests. The Waverley Castle Hotel in TD9 is a lovely-looking, characterful building inside and out, but the finish needs updating, and some areas smelled a little mouldy and tired. It was okay for a quick overnight stop while I was working and travelling, but I wouldn’t choose it for a holiday on my own.